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Mar 2021

Last Updated: 19/03/2021

Community

Nidderdale community raises thousands to support refugee family

by Tim Flanagan

| 22 Mar, 2021

There are approximately 80 million displaced people around the world, of which 26 million are refugees. The government initially agreed for up to 10,000 to be resettled in the UK.

nidderdale-17th-march-2021-sarah-whittington-scaled

Nidderdale Community Welcome has made significant progress as it prepares to bring a refugee family to the Dales.

Sarah Whittington, who heads fundraising for the group, told The Stray Ferret:

"Despite the lockdown, which has prevented us from holding face to face fundraising events, we have already received more than £3,000 in donations."

The community group has an initial target of £9,000 to raise to support a refugee family's relocation in Nidderdale and Sarah, pointed out:

"We are encouraged, not only by the kindness of donors, but also their generosity of spirit.

"Many have seen in the media the desperate plight of refugees in war-torn countries such as Syria and want to help.

"As well as money, we have received messages from people saying they are proud to be living in a compassionate community."

To be involved in the Home Office-backed programme, Nidderdale Community Welcome has to prepare everything that will be needed to support the refugee family.

This includes finding a house that they can rent and providing tuition in speaking English.

In addition, the family will be given help to apply for benefits, find employment and access medical help, schools and transport.

The objective is to help them to become self-sufficient members of the Nidderdale community.

To obtain refugee status in this country any family would have to prove that they were forced to flee their country because of persecution, war or violence.

Attaining refugee status means they are entitled to the same help and welfare as anyone else living here.

Nidderdale Community Welcome is working in partnership with the charity Catholic Care Leeds, which will take ultimate responsibility for the agreement with the Home Office.

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In the meantime, Sarah, Peter Wright and other members of the steering group are making plans for virtual fundraising activities, including a mega online quiz and silent auction. As the covid restrictions eventually lift, face to face fundraising events will be planned.

Sarah, said:

"During lockdown the launch of our website has provided a means for donations to be made and news to be shared.

"It has given us a channel for seeking translators and people with other skills or services that they are willing to donate."

She added:

"We hope that the network we are building through the website, will help us to find a community-minded landlord.

"We have begun our search for a suitable three-bedroom property in Pateley Bridge."

Further details are available at nc-welcome.org

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Nidderdale community raises thousands to support refugee family

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